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YORKTOWN, N.Y. An anonymous tip led Yorktown Animal Control and members of the Westchester SPCA to a home containing at least 13 cats, crumbling walls and ceilings, garbage, furniture and rugs stained with urine and feces found in every room.
Over a period of two days, the animal organizations joined to capture 13 cats inside the Yorktown residence. The SPCA estimates there are at least three more pets that have burrowed themselves into the deteriorated walls and ceilings.
Lisa Bonnano, the Westchester SPCA Development Manager said that the humane law enforcement tip line received an anonymous tip, which led the SPCA of Westchester to contact James Waterhouse, the animal control officer for Yorktown Police. The owner of the house and the owners son had been hospitalized, and another person was left to take care of the house. It became apparent that the conditions were very bad, especially to house an estimated 16 cats.
The home appeared to be unfit for both humans and animals to live in, Bonnano said.
Bags of food were left around the house as a way for the cats to feed themselves rather than eating out of a food bowlleaving some of them severely overweight and unhealthy.
Bonnano said that fortunately, the owner of the house cooperated and agreed to let the cats be removed from the home. She doesnt believe that charges will be filed since the owner was helpful in allowing them to rescue the cats.
We brought the cats back here, vaccinated them and had them examined. We need to get them healthy, to socialize them and then the next step is to place them into a new home, Bonnano said. They were all friendly, they are just terrified.
Bonnano added that she was unsure of how the owner had obtained so many of the pets, whether they had been collected strays or otherwise.
I think they just started collecting them, Bonnano said. But were hopeful that we can do blood work, make sure theyre all healthy and then we're hoping people can adopt them.
Traps have been set to find the remaining cats in the house so that they can be brought back to the shelter.
To adopt any of these cats, or other animals from the SPCA of Westchester or Briarcliff, visit the shelter itself or call (914) 941-2896.
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